NALGONDA: The hunting and illegal sale of wild animals and birds, including wild quails, monitor lizards, and wild pigs, continues unabated in Nalgonda district, in clear violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. However, some poultry and meat shop owners have been concealing wild quails among Japanese quails in cages to avoid detection. A pair of wild quails is reportedly sold for ₹500, compared to ₹150 for a pair of Japanese quails. Similarly, monitor lizards, also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, are being sold by poachers in various towns. Prices for live monitor lizards reportedly range from ₹600 to ₹1,200, depending on size and weight.